Heel breasting machine



7 Nov. 24, 1953 MAWBEY HEEL. BREASTING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 2, 1952 Inventor Lawrence Mawbey 7 Nov. 24, 1953 Y L. MAWBEY ,659, 09

HEEL BREASTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 2, 1952 9 Sheets-Sheet 2' 50 Inventor i5 Atto y Nov. 24, 1953 MAWBEY 2,659,909

HEEL BREASTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 2, 1952 9 Shets-Sheet a I fnvntor J66 (50 Lawrence Mqwbey.

Nov. 24, 1953 L. MAWBEY 2,659,909

HEEL. BREASTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 2, 1952 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Inventor Lawrnce Mawbey Nov. 24, 1953 1.. MAWBEY 9,909

' I HEEL BREASTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 2, 1952 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 10g Inventor Lawrence fllawbey Nov. 24, 1953 MAWBEY 2,659,909

HEEL BREASTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 2, 1952 9 Sheets-Sheet s A X 638 X 4 ,8

Inventor Lawrence Mawbey B his neg 1953 1.. MAWBEY 2, ,909

' HEEL BREASTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 2, 1952 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 ihfve nior Lawrence May/beg L.. MAWBEY HEEL BREASTING MACHINE Nov. 24, 1953 9 SheetsSheet 8 Filed Jan. 2, 1952 Y aw Inventor Nov. 24, 1953 MAWBEY I 2,659,909

HEEL. BREAS'IVING MACHINE Filed Jan. 2, 1952 I 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 I [nuntar Lawrence Mawbey Patented Nov. 24, 1953 UNITED STT S OFFICE HEEL BREASTING MACHINE Application January 2, 1952, Serial No. 264,443

Claims priority, application Great Britain January 23, 1951 24 Claims. 1

This invention relates to'machines for use in the breasting of built-up leather heels, it being an object of the present invention to produceanimproved machine of the general type disclosed in United States LettersPatent No. 2,530,590, granted November 21, 1950, on an application filed in the names of Percy White and Frank B. Keall.

The present invention consists in the novel features hereinafter described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings which illustrate Fig. 5 is an enlarged front view of part of the machine a casing of which has been broken away to show mechanism for rotating a heel supporting turret of the machine;

Fig. 6 is a plan view, partly broken away, showing portions of mechanism for operating heel holding and positioning'instrumentalities of the machine;

Fig-7 is a front view of one'of'two heel holding units forming part of the turret or the machine, a cover 101' said unit havin'g'bee'n' removed; I

Fig 8 is a side elevation, "partlyin central vertical section, of one of the heelholding units;

9 is a view on line EEK- 1X ofFigJE;

--Fig. 1i) isa view on lineX-X of Fig. 6 showing portions of mechanism forccntrolnn the operation'ofthe heel holding unitsat' a loading station of the'machine and'the"actuation of indexing mechanism for'tlie turret;

Fig. 11 is a'front view of afnodifi ed heel ripper which may be substituted 'for a heel gripper of one of the above-mentioned heel'holdingunits; Fig. 12 "shows in elevation safety mechanism for insuring that the turret is'clear of any articles "which may be'ac cidentally left onthe'turret' and which during the brea'sting operation would otherwise 'be "engaged by the breasting knife and/or its operating mechanism;

Fig. 13 is a frontview of the left half ofth'e advantageously used in the machinev The illustrative machine is described with reference to breasting built-up leather heels 2!] (Fig. 8) and comprises a turret 22 having two heel receiving or holding units 25 which are intermittently indexed between a heel loading station 26 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3), at which the heels are positioned and gripped in the forward of two units, and a heel breasting station 28 in which the heels, clamped securely in the rear unit, are breasted by a vertically reciprocable breasting knife 3E! operating against wooden cutting blocks 32 of the units successively indexed to the breasting station.

The heels 2t are-successively positioned lengthwise in the holding units 25 at the heel loading station 28 by a breast gage 3t (Figs. 1, 3 and 8) which is movable to and from an active position over an associated cutting block 32 which forms part of the unit and part of a platform or table 36 of the turret 22, said breast gage having a convex forward edge 38 shaped and arranged, when in a forward or active position, to be engaged by a concave breast face 40 (Fig. 8) of the top lift 42 of the heel.

Each of the heel receiving or heel holding units 24 (Figs. '7 and 8) also comprises a pair of grippers M carried by levers 45 which are movable in slots 56 (Figs. 1, 3 and 6) formed in the platforms 36 of the turret 22 and which are geared together for equal and opposite movement and are constantly urged toward each other by springs 48. As the grippers 44, rendered active as a treadle 51! is initially depressed, move toward each other under the action of the springs 48, they engage opposite sides of the heel a short distance (approximately above the block 32 and centralize and thereafter grip and penetrate'to a slight extent the heel the breast face 4!] of" the top lift of which is in engagement with the breast gage 44 as shown in Fig. 8.

Each of the heel holding units 24 also comprises an an ular cover 52 which is secured by screws 54 (Figs. 1 and 5) to the turret 22 and comprises a lid portion which fits in a recess 56 of the platform 38 of the turret and is spaced slightly from the associated cutting-block an apron portion of the cover serving to encase hereinafter described gripper actuating mechanism of the turret. The platform or table 35 of the turret 22 may be described as comprising the cutting block 32 as well as the lid portion of the angular cover 52.

the heel'loading station 25 in response to initial "depression of-the treadle 50, the breast gage-34 upon continued depression of the treadle, is swung rearward to a retracted position and a one-revolution clutch 93 (Fig. 14) hereinafter described is actuated to index the turret 2?. through 186, the grippers is, which at that time are forced against and penetrate to a slight extent the heel, being forced downward during the first part of said indexing movement by compression springs 58 (Figs. '7 and 8) rendered active to clamp the heels securely against the cutting block 32.

During the first half of the cycle of the machine the heel in the heel holding unit 25 at the loading station 265 is indexed 180, said unit arriving at the breasting station as and coming to rest. During the second half of the cycle of the machine the breasting knife 30 is rendered active to breast the heel in the heel holding unit 2% at the breasting station 28 and during this time another heel is placed in the other heel holding unit then positioned at the loading station 25. After the heel holding unit as in which the heel 29 has been breasted has been indexed a few degrees from the breasting station 28 the grippers M are forced away from the heel against the action of the springs 38 and as the uncla-mped heel is indexed with the turret it is knocked at an ejecting station 59 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) into a chute 66, which is formed in a bracket E32 secured to and constituting part of one of a pair of side frames (it of the machine, by an arm 86 of an ejector 68. Chips (not shown) trimmed from heels 2i] during the heel breasting operation drop for disposal into a large central passage '12 extending heightwise through the turret.

The illustrative machine comprises a housing I2 (Figs. 1 and 2) within which are included various driving and controlling mechanisms of the machine. The housing I2 comprises the side frame 64 and a central frame it which is bolted or otherwise secured to the side frame, the central frame supporting most of the driving and controlling mechanisms of the machine. Secured to the side frames 6d of the housing '52 at the rear base portion of the machine is an electric motor i6 (Fig. 2) which is operatively connected by belts it to a driving pulley 8B journaled upon a bearing shaft 82 secured to the central frame i l. The driving pulley St has pinned to it a gear 6t meshing with a gear 85 rotatably mounted upon a clutch shaft 38 which is rotatably mounted in the central frame It and has secured to its forward end a gear 96 meshing with a gear 92 secured on a driving shaft 3% rotatalcly mounted in the central frame and arranged parallel to the clutch shaft 53. The gear 8% is operatively connected to the shaft 38 by the one-revolution clutch at (Fig. 1e) tripped in response to movement of a bell-crank lever 93 (Figs. 2, 5, and 14) which is connected to the treadle d and will be hereinafter described in detail, said clutch being automatically disengaged after each cycle of the machine even though the treadie iii is held depressed. The driving shaft as has secured to its. gear I33 which meshes with gear H32 secured to a countershaft Ed -i rotatably mounted in the central frame the construction and arrangement of the gears its, In? respectively connecting the driving shaft and the countershaft being such that the counters aft rotates once and the driving shaft twice during each cycle of the machine.

The turret 22, which comprises a downwardly extending sleeve Iiid (Figs. 2, 3 and 5) having securedto it a flange Iiiii, is mounted in upper carrying levers 45 move.

and lower bearings H8, II? formed in the central frame i l, said turret being rotatable about an axis IE4 and being intermittently indexed clockwise, as viewed from above, 189 about said axis to move the heel holding units 24 between the heel loading and breasting stations 26, 28 during the first half of each cycle of the machine. Secured to the sleeve I by pins He (only one shown) is a collar H8 (Fig. 2) having extending laterally from its opposite sides abutments iii) (Figs. 2 and 6) which are alternately engaged by a pawl I22 pivoted upon a pin i2 2 forming part of a pawl carrier I26 rotatable upon the sleeve and arranged between the collar H8 and the lower bearing M2, the pawl being constantly urged toward the collar M8 by a torsion spring Secured to the lower end of the pawl carrier I 25 is a bevel gear segment 28 (Fig. 2) meshing with a gear seginnt ltd (Figs. 2 and 5) on a lower end of a table actuating arm 32 which is secured to the front end portion of a spindle E34 rotatably mounted in the central frame i l. The table actuating arm I32 has pivotally connected to it the upper portion of a link I35 the lower end of which is pivoted to a crank pin I38 carried by a crank i iii secured to the front end of the countershaft Hid. During each revolution of the countershaft Iil l the table actuating arm I32 is caused to move to and fro through 99, the ratio between the gear segments H8, 236 being such that the pawl carrier I25 moves and back again about the axis of rotation H 3 of the turret 22. During the rotation of the pas "l carrier I25 inaclockwise direction,as viewed from above, the pawl i122 moves one of the abutments I28 and accordingly the turret 22 through 180 and returns in readiness to move the other abutment I23 during the next movement of the pawl carrier. The turret 22 is, therefore, rotated in a clockwise direction through one-half a revolution each time the countershaft I84 rotates once and, as will be hereinafter explained, carries the heel positioned and clamped in the heel holding unit 2% at the loading station 2 5 to the heel breasting station 23 at which the knife 36 operates upon the heel. As above explained, during the indexing of the turret 22 the heel which has been breasted in the heel holding unit 24 at the breasting station 28 is released and ejected to the chute 69 as such unit returns to the loading station 25 to receive another heel.

Each heel holding unit 24 (Figs. 7 and 8) (the unit at the loading station 26 is illustrated in detail) comprises a box-like bracket I42 which is secured by screws IM to the sleeve I86 of the turret 22 and has secured to and covering it the angular cover 52. As above stated, the platform 36 has formed in it the recesses 56 into which the platform portions of the angular covers 52 fit, said platform portions of the covers, as best shown in Fig. 8, being spaced slightly from associated wooden cutting blocks 32 to provide the continuations of the slots 46 in which the gripper The upper ends of the levers 45 (Fig. '7) have dovetail portions M6 fit ting in dovetail slots l 48 formed at the bottoms of heel gripper carriers I58 having secured to them opposing sharp' prongs I 52 arranged to engage and penetrate the opposite sides of the heel placed upon the wooden block 32 with its breast in engagement with the breast gage 36, said carriers being secured to the levers by screws I54. The pins I52 are used to adapt the machine for 75 handling relatively low heels. If high heels are to i; be operated 'up on theabiove describedrgripper care; riers 1 I50"-are"rep1aced by carriers l 550A? (Fig.2 119*) having prongs I523 positioned} substantial; dis-2 tances above the :cuttingblock'rii2svth'erebyrinsureingagainstzthe heel beingtipped lengthwise dure ing the breasting operationz.

The gripper carrying the belllcranka levers 45:: are-pivotally mountediupon:parallel'ibearingrpinsi I56 (Figs; '7" and 8); which are=secured 5130 31213213; I 58;" opposing ends of horizontal arms of 117118113911. crank! levers having =meshing gear-teeth I fifil'ifdr effectingequal and opposite angular movementi of said bell crank levers- 215011135 their associated bearing-pins. The-bar ltfi has secured to "it-Fahd extendingdownwardlyefromiitrazverticali'md I521 which is: reciproca-ble in a: vertical bore IEM (Fig. 8%ofthe-bracket M2 and has 'rotatably mountedupon its lower endportiona cam roll I66 (Figs 5', 7and 8). The bardfifl andthe vera. tical'rod ItE secured-to itmay be described as a slide for-carrying the-bell' cranlelevers 45".- The right-hand bell crank lever- 45 T (as viewed from the front of the machine) comprisesanarm I68 which is arrangedin front of and parallel to its geared arm and whichispivotally connected to the upper end of a ver-tical link I10; thedower endof which is pivotally connected to =a -'substan-- tially horizontal-armor a bell oranklever I72 pivoted on a horizontal stud- I'M secured-to'the bracket I 42'. An upstanding arm of thebel'l cranklever I12 has pivoted to its upper end portion an adjusting rod H5 passingfreely through the upper end portion of an upstanding arm of a'bell' crankleverllil which is pivoted on thestud I14 and has ahorizontal' arm carrying-acam---rol1 I80;

The adjusting rod I'It has threaded onto; it; a thumb nut I32 which constantly-- engages the upstandingarm of the bell crank-lever-I'Ifle- When the heel receiving or holding units- 2d are at the loading station 26 the cam roll- I 66 car ried by the vertical rod 162 is forced under-considerablepressure by-the-compression springs 58, which are interposed between the bracket I 42 and the bar I 58, against 'theupper-face- I of-a grip;- pei" raising cam I 88; which is securedby "screws E90 to the:central frame 74, and the bell c-rank levers t5 and" accordingly thegripper carriers; I are held in raised'positionswith relation toaworhengaging face I92 ofjan assoc-iated cutting block 32. Furthermore; the cam roll I80 onthe lever I18 is forced" by the tension springs 43, opposite ends of which areconnected-"to studs IQ t secured'to the bell crankleverdd and to studs-I 96' extending forwardly from the-lower ends of the rod ifildownwardagainst -a then raisedisupporting face I83 (Figs: 6; '7'and 8lofia gripper opening lever Zfiil securedona spindle 202 rotatabl'y mounted in abracket 204;;which is-secured by screws 2% to and forms part-of thecenter frame it; Accordingly; when the=holdingunits 24- are at the loading station 26 th grippers A M are heldin open positions so that 'the heel to be V breasted may be placed between them= insaid units 22. When the grippers 44 are: in their raised open. positions-the thumb nut I82 iscommonly rotated to vary the gap' betweerpthe gripe pers in accordance'with thewidth of theheel; it being customary to adjust? the grippers: so as to enable the heel to be inserted between-the grippers with a slight: amountof-L clearance.

The gripper opening lever 26!] ha formed in it a recess 2% (Figs. Sand-8) for receiving a'oompression spring 218? which engages-thebottom of the bracket 2% of the side frame- 14- and constantly urges-thesupporting face"l w ofsaidlever to said first-named paths.

A ret:22;:are:atfltheoheel,iloadingcstation;-257depres sion oither-face :.l98,of zthewlever 200: is prevented; b'y- -th'e engagement: of rauforward stepped portion; 2122(Figs; 6., 'Ifi'and; 8;),,ojia;control'rocl 214, which ismounted"? for: forward and rearward sliding movement in guideways-21fisof the fixed bracket,

2M Lwith= theupperface-of a block 2| 8 secured byscrews220 to tha -gripper opening lever 200s; Pinned tothe rearend portion -.of 'thecontrol rod 2'14 is' -a;collar-222- (Eigs; Stand 10) in-which is;

formed at circumferential grooved havingl-v-en-t gaging in it' -pins 2-25 :(Fig; fiirseeuredto-a forked arm oti-abell crank: lever 2281(Figs, 6, and 10)" keyed to= a spindle-23os rotatablyrmounted in the: central frame-J4: Another arm of thebell crank lever 2-28 -is operativelyconnectedby arod 232,

andother mechanism hereinafter described, to the treadle=50t As the -treadle 5t isdepressed preparatory to tripping theclutch forstarting the machine, the

I steppedportiom 212 of the control rod 214 is moved rearward from its-position above the block zlfi which is secured' to the gripper opening lever 290 with theresult that the springs 48' cause the grippers M to-move-into engagement with the opposite' sides' of'th'e heel placed in the 'heel holding unit 2 3 at-v theloading station 26';

Further" depression of thetreadle 5!! causesthe-clutch as to be tripped and'as the-turret 22 rotates the cam roll I on-the lever I12 moves away from the supporting face I98i0f'the-1ever Ethand the cam roll I56 -on the leversupporting rod I62 which together with the bar i58 may bereferred to as a; carrier; moves away fromthe cam block- I88 after; theturret has rotated a; few-degrees from its indexed position with the result:that the-grippersr4tare'lowered from their eleyatedposition by;--thecompression springs 58- to depress the" heehagainst' the platform.

Ifyafter, a; heel 29"- has been placed in the holdingunitmi andthetreadle-Eflhas-been partially depressedfto withdraw the control rod: 2-I lfrom its locking, position over the block; 2 I8 to allow the; grippers 4A to be moved from their open position against, the heel; the operator is not satisfied "that the heel; is correctly positioned; id ripp rs m y, barred- 1y p ne y rai in as. viewedi nu ;.a; manually ra le arm. zfitfsecuredjto the spifldlhqZBZ thereby rotating th lever. 2.09. 1 ckwiseand' aus n -the. ur ac IQBM 0.I1.the lever to press up on the roll ltd so 1 84 1. he grippers; will be. separated to release the heel; The heel may then be repositioned upontthe holdingunit 213. andthe manually operalolev arm 23.3 released: to allow the tension hrines, 48 g in. los he i pers ainst oppositesidesof the heel, The grippers ttmay be describedjas movable equaldistances in ops posite directions in paths generally parallel to the heelengagingface I92 of the bloclg; 32 of the associated unit andalso-asmovable together or collectively-in apath disposed at right angles The springsdfi, 58 may be described asportions of mechanisms for causing 1 the grippers M to apply primary and final! clamping-pressuresrespectively against the The-wooden cutting block 32 (Fig. 7)- ofeach of the heelholding units 24 is supported upon a wedgemember 234 havingfaces 23% which engage inclined? faces-2 3-8 of -the box-like -bra-cket M2, the wedge member being moved and held in different adjusted positions upon the wedge faces of said bracket by a screw 2% which is rotatably mounted in an undercut slot 242 of the bracket and is threaded into the box-like bracket Hi2 of the machine. By rotating the screw 2% the cutting block 32 may be readily adjusted until its work engaging face I92 is flush or in alinernent with the upper face of the platform 36 of the turret 22.

The breast gage 3d which, after the heel upon the turret 22 has been seized by the grippers 2d and before the turret commences to rotate, is moved away from its active or gaging position above the cutting block 32 of the holding unit 2 at the loading station it so as not to interfere with the gripped heel as it is moved away from theloading station, will now be described. The breast gage 3% (Figs. 1, 3 and 8) has secured to it pins 25241 whi h pass through openings in eyebolts 25% (Fig. 3) carried by a breast gage arm 245i and have collars 25%? secured to their upper ends to retain the pins on the eyebolts. The eyebolts pass through a lower end portion of the breast gage arm 2:38 and may be moved into different forward and rearward adjusted positions in said arm by thumb nuts 252 threaded onto the eyebolts and having flanges which fit in recesses 25% of said arm. A compression spring opposite ends of which engage respectively the breast gage arm 248, and a lug 2258 extending upward from the breast gage B l is adapted to hold the eyebolts f it firmly in their adjusted positions against said arm.

The breast gage arm 258 is pinned to a horizontal shaft 265 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) rotatably mounted in the bracket 52 which, as above stated, is secured to the right side frame it and has formed in it the chute =59 into which the breasted heels are knocked and which may be described as being positioned at the ejecting station 59. Also secured to the shaft 26% is an arm 2E2 pivotally connected to the upper end of a rod 2% which is guided in a recess 255 in the side frame and has mounted on its lower end a roll 26$ forced, by means hereinafter described, against a two-part rod 2525 (Figs. 1, 2, 5, 6 and 10) a forward portion of which is adjustable with relation to a rear portion thereof. The front portion of the rod portion 25% is slidingly mounted in a guideway 2% (Figs. 5 and 6) in the side frame is and the rear portion of the rod has formed in it a slot 2'52 (Fig. 10) through which passes a pin E'il secured in an arm 2% keyed to the spindle 239. As will be explained later, in order, during the first part of the downward movement of the treadle 58, to cause the grippers 13:? to seize the heel without effecting movement of the breast gage as the pin 2'55 moves idly along the slot 2?: until it engages an ad justable screw 275i threaded into the rear portion of the rod 2% and accordingly thereafter forces said rod rearward to permit the breast gage to be moved rearward by spring action from its gaging position.

The roll 2535 of the rod 2% is normally held by a tension spring 2% (Figs. 1 and 3), which is connected to the breast gage arm 2 38 and to a pin secured to the bracket 62, against a portion 282 (Fig. 6) of large diameter of the two-part rod 258 and when the two-part rod is moved rearingly causes the breast gage 34 to be moved rearward about the axis of the shaft 260 by the action of said spring 280. The two-part rod 268 is constantly urged toward its forward position shown in Fig. 6 by a tension spring 286 opposite ends of which are attached respectively to a stud 268 secured to the side frame 64 and to a stud 290 secured to the rod, the stud 29:; being held against a stop 292 secured to the side frame. After initial depression of the treadle 50 during which the grippers M are moved into engagement with the heel and the lost motion provided by the slot 212 in the two-part rod 268 has been taken up, further depression of the treadle, before tripping the clutch, causes the two-part rod to be moved rearward thereby allowing the roll 265 (Fig. 5) on the rod 264 to be moved downward by the tension spring 280 against the reduced portion 284 of the two-part rod and the breast gage 34 to be moved rearward so that a heel between the grippers may be indexed without interference with said gage. The two-part rod 288 is held in its rearward position until the heel has been breasted by a spring actuated latch 294 pivoted upon the rod 258 and arranged to engage a flat face 296 formed on the stop 292. The breast gage 34 is returned to its active position shown in Figs. 1 and 3 against the pull of the tension spring 288 by the action of the spring 286 after the release of the latch 294 from the stop 292.

The latch 294 is released from the stop 292 by a screw 298 adjustably secured to an arm 369 fixed to a vertical shaft 382 (Figs. 2, 3 and 6) rotatably mounted in extensions of a bracket 30 3 (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4) secured by screws 366 to the side frame '64. The vertical shaft 302 also has secured on it an arm 308 (Figs. 2 and 3) which carries a. roll 3H3 held, by mechanism hereinafter described, against an edge face BIZ of the platform 36 of the turret 22.

The rod 232 is operatively connected to a treadle rod 3l (Figs. 2, 5 and 9) which is lowcred against the action of a treadle spring M5 (Fig. 2) in response to depression of the treadle 5B, the construction and arrangement, as will be explained later, being such that the connection between the treadle rod and the rod 232 is broken soon after the machine commences to operate by power. Accordingly, the rod 2M, which renders the grippers 44 active and inactive, may be moved forward by a spring 3E6 (Fig. 6) forward and rear ends respectively of which are connected to the side frame 64 and to a stud 318 carried by the arm 216, even though the treadle is held depressed, until the machine stops.

The rod 232 is connected to the treadle rod 354 through a block 320 secured by a screw 322 to the rod 232, the block having a passage 359 (Fig. 9) formed in it for the treadle rod 354 the upper end of which is guided by the block and which has a shoulder 32-; (Fig. 5) arranged when the machine is idle to engage the upper face of the block. When the treadle rod 3H3 is depressed the shoulder 324 causes the rod 232 also to be depressed and the control rod 214 to slide rearward out of contact with the gripper opening lever The lower end portion of the rod 232 passes freely through a bore 325 in a, block 328 pivoted in an arm of the bell crank lever 93 another arm of which is pivotally connected to a link (Figs. 2 and 14) for controlling the one-revolution clutch 96 to operate the machine through one cycle. After the rods 2H5, 268 have been moved rearward by mechanism above described 2&52339-993 to efiect the seizing of the heel by the grippers 4.4 and the moving of the breast gage34 away v from the positioned and seized heel, further depression of the treadle 50 causes the-block 326 to depress the block 328 with the result that the clutch 96 is tripped and the machine is power operated through a cycle and comes to rest..

Soon after the machine is power operated the.

shoulder 324 (Fig. overlying theupper face treadlerod 354 has been moved to its raised position by the treadle spring (H5 said rod, the up per end of whichis guidedby the block 326, is. swung to the right, as viewed in Fig. 5., by said treadle spring causing the shoulder 324 of the treadle rod to overlie the upperface of the block ing unit 2 3 at the breasting station 23 has been breasted the turret 22 is indexed and just before the breasted heel reaches the ejecting station 59 the grippers id are moved away from the. heel to release it in response to engagementof the cam roll IBE! on the bell crank lever its with a cam face 336 (Fig. 6) which is formed on the bracket 2%. The breasted heel is ejected from the h ll-1e ing unit 2%, from which it has been, released, by the knock-off arm as (Fig. 1) which strikes the breast. of the heel and knocks said heeloff the turret platform 3% and into the chute Ed. The knockeofi arm 68 is pivotally mounted upon pin 340 carried by a lever 3 32 (Figs. 1 and 3) which is pinned to a bearing spindle 3434i rotatably mounted in the bracket 5L An upstanding arm of the lever 3&2 has pivotally' connected to it one end of a link 3% the other end of which is pivotally connected to an arm 348 secured to the vertical shaft. 322 (Figs. 2, 3 and 6).

The platform edge face 352, which includes edge faces of the angular covers 52, has formed in it two diametrically opposite arcuate openings 359. into which the roll sit on the arm 5E8 swings during the indexing of the turret22. Each arc nate opening 355! has its leading end formed in a trailing edge face of the corresponding angular cover 52 off which the roll a i ii is forced to a position beneath the platform as by a spring 352 (Figs. 1 and 3) one end of which engages, a, lug of the bracket 62 and the other end of which engagesa head of a rod which passes through the spring and through a bore 355 of the lug and which is pivotally connected to an upstanding arm of the lever The knockeoff arm 65 swings between the grippers which have been previously moved away from each other, to release the heel, and knocks the heel off the plat.- form 36, a leather faced lug (not shown) on the bracket 52 serving to stop ejecting movement of the lever secured by screws 5558' (Figs. 5 and 8) in the trailing end portions of the openings 35%} are cam locks 3E8 arranged to engage the roll am of the arm see and to return the knockeoff arm 68 against the action of the spring 352-back to-the retractedposition shown in Fig. l. The turret 22 is being indexed while the knock-oh arm .56 ejects the breastedheel from the turret 22, the earn blocks 36!! beingso arranged that thee holding units om which, the heels are ejected. have As above explained, after the heel in the hold vv 10 pa se e? lectin came. t-ilis me he knock-off arm is returnedto. itsretra ttd 90. .1-

tion. The knock-01f arm fifi is normally held'in. itsnormal position shown in Fig. Lupcn the. pin. M9 by aspring. 365. the upper'end otwhich is" attached to a pin on vthebr il f iet filand .thelower;

end of whichis attached to a .pin secured to the upper end of saidknock-ofi arm. Should the,

nockt ar 65 du in the ele t n o theheel. he accidentally engaged by. one of the grippers ii i,

said arm will yieldabout the pin 3st against the action of the spring, 355.,under, the pressure of said gripper, saidknoch-offarm returning to its normal position ga n whe .it h ee moved out of engagement with the gripper.

It will benotedthat clockwise movement (Fig. 3) of the a m. tean response. movementof the roll 3,) into either of the. openings. 35!). of the turret22. causes, the. screw; 95 (Fig. 6.) to move.

the latch 294-away flflfmthe stop .292. and thus. enablesthe two-part rod. 268, to move forwardv unde the actionoithespringgfifi to its startin position thereby causing the breast gage 34 to be moved against the action/ofthe spring 2343. back to, its forward, active or gaging, position. Prior toreleasing thelatch 294% thecam 332 (Fig, 5), i l have m ved the sh ulder. 32.4. i t reaiils. rod 3| t away from the upper surface ofthe bloelg 329 o elease th -2. t er by allow aihe. n ol o 2 4 acted bythe pr n t t, to be. mov d to,itsforward. ositionpvsr t e ock 21s. of th gr p err p ne lever 2%. u n m vemen of the two-part rod 268 .to its forward position,

The breasting knife-iril'issecured, to a knife 7 slide or h01der.,37i3, which is reciprocated in a kni sn d orf me 2. by aplamp arm strand saviat d pr s ur quali in m chani mwhieh is-similar to that disclosed in the above identified Patent No.,2,530,5 and need not be described herein in detail. In order to vary the angles of the breast faces of heels with relation to the ead races of sa hee s t e n e uide. or fr me 312 is initially; adjustable into different active positionsabout an axis 374 (Figs, 2 and 3) extending generally ra sve se y o the hes alon he face- 192. f the cu in l ck 32; and passin approxi: ma ely through, the point of engagement of a gem tral portion of a utting, edge tle of, the knife and said face of the block. The axis 31 may also be described as. lyingin the face 192 of the flplatform or the. cutting block 32; and as, extending transversely. of, the, heel in the vicinity of: its. breast. In order to effect angular adjustmentof the knife frame 312 about the axis, 314 said irarne has secu d to it. D3411 of 1 14 9 i fi .7 (Figs. 1 and. 2). whichare initially adjustable along. curved guideways 3.;8iia. common. center of curvature of whichcoincides. approximately. with the axis 314. Thelowerfaces of the guideways 33B are formedby. the main casting of the n f b ack 4;. upper a es. o aideuid way b in f0r edhy1QWera9 Wfi a cua e bar .3 2. which ar s cured by sc ew 38.4 to themaia casting of the knife brackettii i and may be con sidered partsof, the-=bracliet. Formed on the er r a s f the s t at ba s .32am gear teeth 886. meshing-with pinions- 3 3s secured to a horizvnial sha 3% xtendin at a lyof, he, ma h n -an ablv oun ed. in b ari gs 3%.? (Figs. 3 and 4) forming'part ofthe. knit frame 31 h igh and ortio -o he sha 9.. a ew r t o ;.o ti emac inais k sses: orial t o. mate-handle m t hswm ay, e p aced ther m ths shaft; r t d. otati n of the-.sh n rclogkw s zd i e tioniasviewed aesosoe 11 from the right of the machine, causing the pinions 388 to roll rearward and downward along the gear teeth 3% and the knife 3?? to be adjusted about the axis 374 to vary the path of reciprocation of the knife with relation to the heel engaging face 892 of the cutting block 32.

The knife frame J2 may be secured in its adjusted position upon the bracket 3% by the engagement of a tooth 3% (Fig. 4) on the lower end of a detent 398 (Figs 3 and 4) between adjacent teeth of the right pinion 388, said detent being slidingly mounted in a guideway of a boss of the knife frame and having in its upper end portion a recess Mill which is engaged by an eccentric portion an of a pin lt i rotatably mounted in said boss. The pin 554 has secured to it a handle 465 by which the pin may be rotated to raise the tooth 398 of the detent 898 away from its associated pinion 388 preparatory to adjusting the knife frame 312 about the axis 376 or to move the tooth of the detent into engagement with teeth of the pinion to maintain the knife frame 312 in its adjusted position.

To prevent the knife frame 312 from falling rearward along the arcuate guideways sec in the event that the tooth 3% on the detent 398 be withdrawn from engagement with teeth of the pinion 388 and the handle (not shown) connected to the gear shaft 396 shall be accidentally released by the operator, a friction device 4385 (Fig. 4) is arranged permanently to engage the gear shaft. The friction device comprises two blocks 198 each having a leather lined surface (not shown) for engaging the shaft, said blocks being adjustable toward each other by screws ME] passing through one block and threaded into the other. The blocks M38 are prevented from rotating upon the shaft 390 by a pin H2 secured to the knife frame 312 and engaging in a recess of one of the blocks.

The upper end portion of the knife slide Si'l has journaled in it a laterally extending horizontal shaft or pin il i (Figs. 1, 3 and 4) on eccentric end portions il5 of which are mounted links M6 extending downward one at each side of the knife frame 312. The lower end portions of the links M6 are pivoted on coaxial pins 418 (Figs. 1, 4 and 13) extending laterally of the machine and secured to the front end portions of arms of .a knife actuating lever 4253 (Figs. 2, 3, 4, 12 and 13) which is journaled upon a horizontal bearing rod 422 secured to the knife bracket 3%.

The knife actuating lever sac has two rearwardly extending arms to which are pivoted a pair of thrust bars 12 the lower ends of which, when the bars are swung rearward by mechanism hereinafter described, engage in recesses 425 formed in a T-shaped actuator 328 having a shank which is slidingly mounted in a vertical guideway 430 of the bracket 304. The actuator s2 is pivotally connected to the upper end portion of a connecting rod 432 driven by a crank 434 (Fig. 2) on the drive shaft 9 4.

The thrust bars 424 are pivotally connected to bifurcations of a link 3335 (Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5) pivotally connected to the upper end of an arm 438 (Figs. 2 and 5) keyed to a horizontal spindle 445 which is rotatably mounted in bearings of the central frame i l and has secured to it a follower arm 542 carrying a cam roll 4444 constantly forced by a spring M5 (Fig. 2) against a cam 446 secured to the countershaft lfi i.

When the thrust bars 424 are in engagement in recesses -ZE of the actuator 428 rotation of 12 the drive shaft Q4 causes the crank 33d thereon as it rises to move the knife actuating lever 42 counterclockwise as view in Fig. 2 and the knife 38 to descend.

As the crank 43 descends tension springs upper and lower ends of which are attached to the rear arms of the knife actuating lever 52d and to the central frame M respectively, raise the knife slide 310 and accordingly the knife and cause the thrust bar 42% to bear against the cor toms of the recesses 25 and to move downward with the actuator. By the above means the speed of upward movement of the knife 39 is controlled and the knife is prevented from being raised undesirably fast. Just before the crank 334 reaches its lowermost position a lug 53 (Figs. 2, 3, and 4) extending rearward from the knife slide 376 and projecting rearward through an opening in the knife frame 312, engages an adjustable stop screw 452 threaded into the knife frame and when the crank has reached its lowest position a small clearance is provided between the lower ends of the thrust bars 42: 1 and the recesses 426 in the actuator 428 so that said bars may be readily disengaged from the recesses.

The shaft Al i which carries the knife slide Sit may be rotated initially to adjust the knife 3% with relation to the links Me which, as above stated, are pivotally connected to the eccentric portions N5 of the shaft. The shaft Aid has secured to it an arm 35 2 into which is threaded a locking screw 356 having a tapered end portion 458 (Fig. 3) arranged to engage a V-shapel groove $59 extending around a collar 482 which is mounted upon the shaft and is held from rctation with relation to the knife slide 318, which may be considered as part of the knife, by 2. lug 584 formed on the collar and fitting in a groove its in the knife slide 316. When the screw 453 has been loosened the shaft M l together with the arm d may be rotated to raise or lower the knife slide 3m to the desired starting position so that during the substantially constant throw of the knife slide the cutting edge $153 of the knife 36 will engage but not cut substantially into the cutting block 32.

As above explained, the driving shaft s1; (Figs. 2 and 5) rotates twice during each cycle of the machine and accordingly the connecting rod is moved up and down twice during each cycle of the machine. Since it is desirable to cause the breasting knife 36 to be operated only once during each cycle of the machine the thrust bars 22d are held by the cam 4% secured to the countershaft I94 away from recesses 426 in the actuator 28 during the first up and down movement of the connecting rod cs2 so that during such movement the knife 35: shall not be operated. Before the next up and down movement of the connecting rod 432, however, the cam 55% allows the spring M5 (Fig. 2) to move the lower ends of the thrust bars 324 into opposing recesses a e of the actuator 328 with the result that the breasting knife 36 is lowered to breast the heel carried by the turret 22 from the loading station 26 to the breasting station 28 during the first half cycle of the machine.

The stopping of the turret 22 when the heel holding units 24 have arrived at their loading and breasting stations 25, 28 respectively is effected by a stop pawl 468 (Figs. 5 and 6) which is arranged to be engaged first by one and then by the other of a pair of plates d'iil secured by screws 412 (Figs. 5, 6 and 7) to the box-like brackets M2 one at each-*sideof the turret. -'The stop pawl Mi8'is pivoted'o'n a pin t (Fig. '5) carried by the central "frame 14 and has pivotally connected to'it a rod M which exten'dsthrough .a passage in the central frame and the lower end of which has securedto it a block 418. The stop pawl A68 is constantly urged clockwise -'as viewed in Fig. 5 to a'position inwhich itis-arranged in the p'ath of'mcvement of one or the other of the plates ll ll T by a compression spring 58% upper and lower ends' 'of which engage the stop pawl and the central 'frame i l respectively, a I stud 4'82 fixed to the central ifra'me li-miting saidclockwise movement o'f the pawl. The stop pawl 468 is swung counterclockwise '-(Fig. 5) away from the path "of movement 'of the plate 510 i by a lug 484 on the turret actuating arm r32, the construction 'arfd arrangement being such thatwhen said'arm swings-counterclockwise from its posit-ion shown in Fig. 5 to cause the turret22 to be rotated-through 180?,ithe lug 484 releases the block 418 permittingthe stop pawl ififl' to be elevated bytheaction ofith'e spring 485. The'stopplata l'ill at the irearwrof the turret will, as soon'as'the turretcommences to rotate, name above :the tpawl l6-8 before :the pawl can move into thepath of movement of the plate, the pawl rising under the-action of the spring 58!] into the path-0f movementlof the following plate after being disengaged iby-t'h'e plate leaving the breasting station 128. 'iRebound of "the turret -22 from its loading and "oreasting stations 26,28 respectively is prevented by aspring actuated pawl '485 (Fig.5) which is pivoted on an eccentric bearing 433 adjustable in the central frame 14 'andpast which each plate M0 passes as it approacheslits stopping position, said pawl being constructed'to snap by the action of a spring 489'in behind'theplate as soon as the plate has passed it.

In order to insure thatloose heels 'or' to'ols,for example, accidentally left 'upon' the platform of the turret 22 shall not be engage'd by-the knife '30 and/or theknifer'slide 1310 and :cause breakage of machine parts,theillustrativesmachine is provided withapair of clearerscorclearer arms 4% (Figs. 1,2, 12 and 1'3) whichswing forward over the platform'at opposite'isides and in advance of' the knife 36 toiremovecsaidiheels and/or tools frorn'the platform. :Each tofthe clearer arms 49B mounted upon a -pin 492 =(Figs. '12 and 13) secured' to a carrier A94 whichiissecured 5023115111 is 'fulcrumed or pivotally 496 rotatably mounted in a lug lllfiiatta'chedcby screws 508' to opposite sides of t-thevkn'ife bracket 304.

Each of the carriers'fid is' constantly urgedby a spring 562 toward-its idle -or rest -positionfiin which a shoulder or abutment of the "carrier is in engagement with astop"'4 fixed to' the lug 498. The clearer arms wfi are constantlyurged rearward by springs 506 against rolls". 588*which the rear edges of the clearer arms 19i! causing "them to swing forward about'fulcrum pins-492 to their dash-line positions-shown in"Fig.12,'-the construction andarrangement of the clearer arms being such that they move'forward during the first part of the downward movement'of the knife and reach their forward positionsjust' a's fthe "'knife rea'ches "its lotvs'tpoition. {Should 'the clearenarms 490 asthey swing *iorward over 4 the -"platform 36 engage '---articles upon -the mittform they will :push such articles 'forwardly "off theplatform 36 and'if'saidarms engage thetop' surfaces of said articles they=-wil1 yield upward about the axes of 'thepins 2% and atth'e same time force the 'articlesfforward out'of the path or; movement of thekriife tt and the knife slide 310. "The clearer-arms 499 may be-defined as fulcrumed upon the carriers ,94 which are arranged to move upon the "frame-498 to cau'sef-ul- -crunied ends of the clearerarms'tomoVeyildingly away from i the platform "when -they -enga'ge articles upon thepla-tform.

Th'e one-revolution clutch (Fig. 14) "will now be described. "The gear 88 which is rotatably mounted upon the clutch-shaft 88 hasse- 'cure'd-to'ita pair of studs 49! constructed and arranged'to be engage'dby a keyies whichhas "a- 'recess 495 for receiving a ring tlil and is' slidingly' mounted in 'a 'collar 399 fixed to the shaft. The ring-491' is spaced from the collar tee and is pivotally connected to an arm 553, a pair of lugs 5M secured to'the collarengaging rolls carried by the upper ends of arms 5ll5 which are in'parallel arrangement'with the arms 5%. The arms 5533, 505 are secured to'parallel pins 50?, 509 Vpivotally mounted in the central frame Hi, the pin 59'! having-secured to it a depending arm '5ll uponthe lower end of which is mounted-a roll 5I3 shaped and arranged to engage a cam 515 'securedto the counter'shaft'lflfl. Thedepending arm 5| I has secured to it a plate '5 I! 'held by a tension spring 5l 9, oppositeends "of which are attached to saidarm and-to the'centralframe M, against'ablocle52l secured-teen arm 523 rotatably mounted upona bearing pin 525 carried by the central frame It. Also fulcrumed upon the pin525 is a bell crank lever 52'! a horizontalarm of which comprises a flange 529 and has'pivotally connected to it-a link 53! which controls brake mechanism such as is disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 2552,- 544, granted May 15, 1 951, on an application filed in thenames of Harold'EElliott et aloand also disclosed more in detail in a "corresponding British ratenmdcrzpos.

A vertical arm of the belle-rank lever 52'l-is "operatively connectedby the linkttt to the bell crank-lever 98 which-as above explained is operated in response to movement of the treadle 50. ''-When the treadle 55 is depressed the bell crank lever 52'! swings clockwise and releases the brake -"(not shown) and moves the flange 529 downward until it engages the'arm 523 which is constantly urged upward by a spring 533'thereby moving the block 52! away from the plate 5!? carried by'thearm 5H and thus-causingthe key 493 to move to'theright as viewed'in Fig. 14 into the path ofmovement of one of the studs 39i.

During the operation of the machine the "treadle 551s automatically disconnected as above described and the cam -5l5withdraws the key @533 away from the'stud'tll engaged by thekey, the link 53l atthattime being raised to apply "thebrake to thec1utchshaft'88. Since the clutch 95 and; the .braking mechanism are not "claimed herein and may have substituted for them suitable other clutch and braking mechanisms of well-known construction no further description of the clutch and brake is deemed necessary.

When the machine is in its idle or rest position the heel grippers Q4 of the heel holding unit FE-4 at' the heel loading 1 station 25- are in their open raised -DOSitiOflS. The operator grasps a lieel '"from a receptacle (notshown) at the left of the machine and places it tread end down and breast rearward on the face of the cutting block 32 of such unit between the grippers M, the heel being slid rearward until the breast of its top lift engages the edge 38 of the breast gage 3t. As above explained, the grippers M are initially adjusted by turning the knurled nut I82 so that the heel will pass between the grippers which while seizing the heel serve to position said heel laterally on the cutting block 32.

While retaining hold of the heel the operator then depresses the treadle 59 causing during the first part of its downward movement the control rod 2M (Fig. 6) to be moved rearward thus permitting the grippers M to swing under the action of the tension springs 48 against opposite sides of the heel. As the treadle 59 is further depressed the breast gage 34, upon rearward movement of the two-part rod 268, is swung rearward by the action of the spring 280 (Figs. 1 and 3) from its gaging position over the cutting block 32 of the heel holding unit 24 at the loading position 26. If at this time should the operator decide that the heel is not properly positioned and/or clamped in the machine he may temporarily cease to continue to depress the treadle 56 until he has, by the use of the manually actuated gripper opening lever 233, released the heel and has again oriented and seized it to his satisfaction.

Upon continued depression of the treadle 5B the clutch 96 is tripped thereby causing the turret 22 to be power indexed 180. During rotation of the turret 22 the stop pawl 368 (Figs. 5 and 6) is raised in readiness to be engaged by the plate 476 on the turret 22 which is moving from the loading station 26, and the cam roll [56 (Figs, 5, '7 and 8) connected with the bar I58 moves oh the cam block I88, the heel grippers as being moved downward by the compression springs 58 to cause the heel to be forced with considerable pressure against the face 592 of the cutting block 32 of the front holding unit id of the turret.

As above explained, the shaft 94 (Figs. 2 and 5) which carries the crank 434 through which the knife 3% is operated rotates twice during each cycle of the machine. During the first rotation of the driving shaft 94. the thrust bars 42 are held by the cam fist on the countershaft ltd out of engagement with the recesses #26 in the actuator G28 and no movement of the knife 38 takes place. After the heel holding unit 241, in which the heel has been positioned and seized, has reached the breasting station 28 the thrust bars 3% are moved into the recess 5% in the actuator 3223 and during the second rotation of the driving shaft same knife 30 is operated to breast the heel, chips trimmed from the heel falling down the passage H3 in the center of the turret 22 into a basket (not shown).

During the next cycle of the machine the cam roll lei! (Figs. '7 and 8) on the gripper opening lever 289 rides up the cam face 33% (Fig. 6) on the bracket 2% causing the grippers 4a to be moved away from the breasted heel, such action occurring just before the heel reaches the ejecting station 58, the knock-off arm 56 then striking the heel and thrusting it into the chute 6% when the heel has reached said ejecting station.

As the holding unit 25 from which the heel has been ejected approaches the loading station 26 the cam roll M5 on the lower end of the rod llil extending down from the bar I58 travels upon the .face 186 of the cam I88 causing the grippers it to be moved to their raised positions and the i6 cam roll 18E of the lever I18 rides onto the supporting face 98 of the lever 209 thus causing the grippers M to be further separated to facilitate insertion of the heel, which is to be next operated upon, in the heel holding unit.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a heel breasting machine, a platform, a pair of grippers spaced to receive between them a heel supported by said platform, means for effecting relative movement of said grippers in a path disposed generally parallel to a heel engaging surface of said platform to seize the heel, means for effecting relative movement between the platform on the one hand and the grippers on the other hand in a path disposed at substantially right angles to said first-named path to cause the seized heel to be clamped against the platform, and means'for breasting the heel.

2. In a heel breasting machine, a platform, a pair of grippers spaced to receive between them a heel supported by said platform, means for moving the grippers toward each other to seize the heel, means for moving the grippers toward the platform to force the seized heel under substantial pressure against the platform, and means for breasting the heel.

3. In a heel breasting machine, a platform, a gage for positioning a heel lengthwise upon the platform, a pair of grippers each having a plurality of heel penetrating prongs, said grippers being spaced to receive between them a heel supported by the platform and having its breast in engagement with said gage, means for moving the grippers toward opposite sides of the heel to seize the heel, means for moving the grippers toward the platform to clamp under pressure the seized heel against the platform, and means for breasting the heel.

4. In a heel breasting machine, a support for a heel, a breast gage for positioning the heel lengthwise upon the support, grippers which are positioned at opposite sides of the heel, resilient means for urging said grippers toward each other and together toward the support, mechanism for moving the grippers against the action of said resilient means to open positions away from each other and to positions away from the support, means for rendering said mechanism ineffective to cause said grippers actuated by said resilient means to seize the heel and to clamp it against the support, and a knife for breasting the heel thus clamped.

5. In a heel breasting machine, a turret comprising a plurality of units each including a platform for supporting a heel and grippers between which a heel is placed upon the platform, means for automatically indexing said units between a heel receiving station in which the heels are positioned and clamped in said units and a breasting station in which said heels in said units are breasted, resilient means for constantly urging said grippers toward each other and together toward the platform, mechanism operated in timed relation with the turret for moving the grippers against the action of said resilient means away from each other and. together away from the platform, and manually actuated means for rendering said mechanism ineffective to enable said grippers under the action of said resilient means to seize the heel and to clamp it against the platform.

6. In a heel breasting machine, a support for a heel, a breast gage for positioning the heel l ftl e e feim bi y movemeetc w ch nd r eans l thw s on he p rt grippers o yin or aid if 1 m "ffec ve. t5 ebr ease ieote eeetet e de nd other or i nsot said es merisfe c ive to .euee the anch rs to fie ce thheelagainst the atfor in.

8 1 e treasure machine suppor ef n' ee ii qllinsa eel on the supp rt, saiwmeens r i i a. Pair oisric t lwhich a e a d a a 'd sunp r nd betwe "l 116331418. 1 .5 meQha ism or-movine "snipe s are dist nce t war ach othe ssistj in positio A the heel upon thesupport tee-e129 h c1. and; r; thereatt rorcin theh elfaea the: upport, and, a cutter or b e .nei heel, Pos tione a d c am ed, upon are supportl' '9. "Ina heel breasting machine a; turret com prising, a ph irality of heel receiving units,- means for, automatically indexing. the turret to move said units-successively between. heel receiving and heel breasting stations, means for positioning a heel in each of the units at thereceiving station, said: heel positioning means, comprising a single breast gagewhich. at all times is positioned adjacent to the heel receiving station; and which is moved over the turret. intermittently toward andaway from saidunits at said heel receiving station, means .for clamping a positioned heelin each of said unitsQ a manually actuated member, and mechanism automatically operated in response to movement of said member for succes sively seizing the heel in one of the units at the heel receiving station, moving the breastgage away from said unit. andindexing the turret and clamping the seizedheel in. said unit.

"'; In a heel breasting machine, a rotatable turret comprising a plurality of, heel receiving units, means for automatically indexing the. tur,-' ret to move said. units successively between a heel receiving station anda heel breasting sta tion, a single breast gage Whichat all times is positioned adjacent to the heel. receiving station and is movable intermittently over thetur; Yet owa nd r m. aid n t at; said. heel receiving station, each of said 1 unit prising, means; for no tioning in;said; un heeliin' eeasemeltlwitn 118 b said breast gage and for clamping said heel aga n t movement in said unit, a manually actuated member, and mechanism operativein re- .sponse to movement of said member for automatically operating said heel positioning and clamping means, moving the breast gage away from the unit at the heel receiving station, and rendering said indexing means active to index the turret.

11. In a heel breastingmachine, a rotatable turret comprising a plurality of units each including a platform, means for automatioallyin- ,dexing said units successively between a heel receiving station and a heel breasting station, abreast gage movable with relation to a unit at the heel receiving station toward and-away from a gaging position, each of said units com.- prisinga pair of grippers between which the heel a breast of which is in engagement with said gage is placed, a manually actuated member, and mechanism operativein response to movement of said member for causing the grippers to seize opposite sides of the heel, then to efiect movement of the breast gage away from said unit and to actuate said; indexing means and thereaiter to force the heel seized by said grippers with clamping pressure. againstthe platform.

12. In a heel-breastingmachine,a turret comprising a plurality of units each including a platform and grippers, between-which is placed a heel upon said platform,v means for automatically indexing, said unitsbetween.- a heel receiving. station and a heel breasting station, springs for constantly urging said grippers toward each other, springs for constantly urging the grippers collectively toward-the platform, means cooperative with the turret, for movingthe grippers against the action of said springs, away from each other and collectively away from the platform, a manually actuated member preliminary movement of which is adapted to render portions of. said. means inactive to enable: the. firstenamed springs: to move the grippers toward each other to seize the-heel against movement inits. associated unit, secondary movement ofsaid manually actuated.-member-:causing: theturret to be indexed, and other; portions-oi saidm'eans to be rendered inactive to enable said secondary springs. to. force the: grippers. with: considerable pressure against the: platform,: and a control lever operatively. connectedctov said: :first named portions ofsaid means for-moving the grippers apart against the actionlofi said first-named springs after preliminary movement of sai'd manually actuatedamember has been efiected thereby enablingthe operator to releasethe heelpreparatory tozrepositioning it in said unit after it. hasbeen seizedibut before theturret has been indexed.

13;. In a. heel breasti-ng machine a turret comprising a pluralityof i units each including a plat'- form for supporting a heel and apair, of grippers which are arranged above -said platform and are spaced to receiveqsaid lheel between-them; a breast gage for positioning" a heel lengthwisemponjtlie platform,springswfor forcing the grippers toward each other; springs for forcing the grippers collectively toward-the mrormg mechanism for moving the. grippers .apart and i away from the platform against; thea..action'- of said springs;

means for automaticallyindexingsaid tiii retifto move said; units between a heel-receiving station and-anibreasting station; and manually a-ctua ated means ;for:rendering a' portion of f aid m an anisml; inefiectiveseto .icause tlfe-'-' grippers under the action of the first-named springs to move toward each other and to cooperate with the breast gage in positioning the heel on the platform and to seize the heel and for thereafter rendering said indexing means active to index the turret and for rendering another portion of said mechanism ineifective to cause the grippers to be urged under the action of the second-named springs toward the platform to clamp the heel securely to said platform.

Mi In a heel breasting machine, a support for a heel, a breast gage for positioning the heel lengthwise upon the support, spaced grippers overlying the support and movable toward and away from each other, springs for constantly urging the grippers toward each other, said grippers being movable toward and away from the support, springs for constantly urging the grippers toward the support, means constructed and arranged to move against the action of the firstnamed springs the grippers away from each other, means constructed and arranged to move against the action of the second-named springs the grippers away from the support, manually actuated mechanism movable initially a predetermined distance to render inactive the firstnamed means to cause the grippers to be forced by the first-named springs against the opposite sides of the heel, said manually actuated mechanism when moved beyond said predetermined distance being adapted to render the second-named means inactive to cause said second-named springs to move the grippers toward the support and accordingly to force the heel against said support, a hand lever connected to said first-named means for moving the grippers apart so long as the manually actuated mechanism has not been moved beyond said predetermined distance thereby releasing the heel preparatory to repositioning it upon the support.

15. In a heel breasting machine, a turret comprising a plurality of units each having a heel supporting face, means for positioning and clamping heels mounted upon said faces of the units, means for automatically indexing said units successively between a heel receiving station and a heel breasting station, a breasting knife, and means for operating said knife to breast heels at said breasting station, said turret having extending axially through it a bore which terminates at the supporting faces of said units and through which falls material trimmed from the breasts of heels.

16. In a heel breasting machine, a platform having a heel supporting face, means for positioning a heel lengthwise and widthwise upon said face, means for clamping the positioned heel upon said face, a knife, a guide for directing the knife in a path extending generally heightwise of the heel, mechanism for imparting to the knife a predetermined throw in said path, means for initially adjusting the guide about a fixed axis which lies in said face of the platform and extends generally transversely of the heel in the vicinity of its breast, and power operated mechanism for reciprocating the knife in said path from a predetermined position in said guide and for stopping irrespective of the angular adjustment of the guide said knife in the vicinity of said axis to breast the heel.

17. In a heel breasting machine, a platform having a face, means for positioning a heel lengthwise and widthwise upon said face, means for clamping the positioned heel upon said face,

20 a knife, a frame for guiding the knife in paths extending generally heightwise of the heel, mechanism for imparting to the knife a predetermined throw, means for adjusting the frame about an axis which lies substantially in said face of the platform and extends generally widthwise of the positioned heel in the vicinity of its breast, powered mechanism operatively connected to the knife for moving the knife in said path from starting positions in said frame to positions in which the knife stops approximately at said axis, and resilient means for effecting movement of the knife back to its starting position, said mechanism being constructed and arranged to control the speed of movement of the knife to its starting position under the action of said resilient means.

18. In a heel attaching machine, a platform, means for positioning a heel upon and clamping it against said platform, a breasting knife having a cutting edge, a guide having ways in which said knife is slidingly mounted, means for moving said knife along said ways in a predetermined path in which the central point of the cutting edge of the knife at the end of its cutting stroke engages said platform substantially at a predetermined point, mechanism for moving said guide into different adjusted positions about an axis extending along said platform and transversely of the heel through said point, said mechanism comprising links which are pivotally connected to the knife, and a lever one end of which is pivotally connected to the links for movement about a shifting axis which is parallel to the first-named axis and which when the cutting edge of the knife engages said platform is arranged generally in said first-named axis.

19. In a heel breasting machine, a platform, means for positioning a heel upon and clamping it against said platform, a breasting knife having a cutting edge, a guide having ways in which the knife is slidingly mounted, means for moving the knife along said ways in a predetermined path at one end of which the cutting edge of the knife engages said platform, mechanism for moving the knife along said ways, means for initially adjusting the guide into fixed operating positions about an axis extending transversely of the heel and along said platform substantially through a point of engagement of the central point of the cutting edge ofthe knife with the platform, said mechanism comprising a pair of links and a pin for pivotally connecting the links to the knife, said pin having concentric and eccentric portions upon which the knife and the links respectively are mounted, and means for initially rotating said pin into different adjusted positions upon the knife to move said knife into different positions in said ways with relation to said links.

20. In a heel breasting machine, a platform, means for positioning a heel upon and clamping it against said platform, a knife, a heel holder, a guide having ways along which the knife holder is reciprocated, a fixed bracket upon which the guide is mounted, said guide being movable into difierent angular positions upon said bracket about an axis extending transversely of said heel and along said platform, manually actuated mechanism for angularly adjusting the guide upon the bracket about said axis, means for locking the guide to the bracket and for releasing said guide for movement upon the bracket, and friction means for holding the guide against displacement from its position upon the bracket, released and an oper when said locking means is 21 ator has released manually control of said mechanism.

21. In a heel breasting machine, a turret comprising a plurality of heel receiving units, means for automatically indexing said units successively between a heel receiving station and a breasting station, each of said units comprising a platform for supporting a heel and spring actuated grippers for seizing opposite sides of the heel and forcing said heel against the platform, poweroperated means, a clutch, a breast gage movable in timed relation with the turret into and away from an active position over the units at the loading station, mechanism for controlling movement of said spring-actuated grippers away from each other and away from their associated platforms in response to indexing movement of the turret, and manually actuated means associated with said mechanism for rendering portions of said mechanism inefiective to cause the grippers to move toward each other to clamp the heel in the unit at said receiving station then to cause the breast gage toswing away from the unit and thereafter to trip the clutch to cause said poweroperated mechanism to index the turret and acoordingly to render other portions of said control mechanism ineffective thereby causing the gripped heel to be clamped against the platform.

22. In a heel breasting machine, a platform having a face, means for positioning a heel upon and clamping it to said platform, a knife having a cutting edge, a guide for controlling movement of the knife in a path which is disposed generally heightwise of the heel and in which a cutting edge of the knife moves into engagement with said face of the platform, a pair of spaced brackets which are arranged at opposite sides of the guide and have arcuate slots centered about an axis lying substantially in said face of the platform and extending generally widthwise of said heel in the vicinity of its breast, said guide having at its opposite sides arcuate lugs which fit slidingly in said slots of the brackets, means for moving the lugs and accordingly the guide lengthwise of said slots, means for locking the guide to said bracket and for releasing the guide for adjustment in said bracket, a power-operated lever, links upper ends of which are pivotal- -ly connected to the knives and lower ends of which are pivotally connected to the lever about a shifting axis which when the cutting edge of the knife is in engagement with the face of the platform is in substantial alinement with the axis about which the guide is adjusted irrespective of the angular adjustment of the guide.

22. 23. In a heel breasting machine, a turret having a plurality of heel receiving units, means for positioning and clamping heels in said units,

means for breasting heels positioned and clamped in said units, means for indexing the turret about an axis, means for releasing the heels in said units after they have been breasted, and an ejector for successively removing the released breasted heels from the units as the units are indexed, said ejector comprising an actuator which is movable toward and away from said axis, and an arm which is carried by the actuator and is movable together with the actuator toward and away from the axis to sweep heels from the turret and which is also yieldable from an active position upon the actuator substantially at right angles to its movement toward and away from said axis to insure against breakage of parts should portions of the units engage said arm.

24. In a heel breasting machine, a platform, means for positioning and clamping a heel upon the platform, a knife movable in a predetermined path to breast the heel, means for operating the knife, a fixed frame, a stop, carriers which are pivotally mounted upon the frame at opposite sides of the knife, clearers which are fulcrumed upon the carriers, and springs secured to the carriers and to the frame for constantly urging the carriers to normal positions in which the carriers engage the stops and in which fulcrumed ends of the clearers are in lowered positions with relation to the platform, said clearers being operated in timed relation with the knife to swing over the platforms during the first portion of the breasting stroke of the knife to force any articles accidentally left on the platform from the platform and out of the path of movement of the knife and its operating mechanism, said carriers being arranged to move upon the frame against the action of the springs to cause the fulcrumed ends of the clearers to move yieldingly against reaction of articles engaged by the carriers away from the platform as they swing over said platform.

LAWRENCE MAWBEY.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

